Barbara Lagrange knew the day would come, but that knowledge did not make it any easier.
Her mother, Marjorie, had begun showing signs of memory loss. Her health was changing, too. Despite having saved carefully for retirement and entering The Village with what seemed like adequate resources, the unexpected progression of her condition meant higher levels of care — and higher costs that no one could have anticipated.
Barbara recognized the subtle shifts families often notice before they can name them, and she also understood a harder truth: Marjorie’s financial resources would not last forever.
Barbara and her husband had helped Marjorie plan for the future as carefully as they could. Still, one question lingered beneath every decision: What happens when Mom’s money runs out?
At The Village — as in all WesleyLife communities — there was an answer. Through the WesleyLife Promise, residents who outlive their financial resources can receive financial support to help them remain in their homes with WesleyLife. At The Village, that promise is carried out through the Good Shepherd Fund.
For Barbara, that commitment was not theoretical. It became the difference between stability and upheaval when the cost of Marjorie’s care began to deplete her assets.
Choosing a place that felt like home
Barbara lives in Winterset, Iowa, and wanted her mom close by. When it was time to consider assisted living, she chose The Village, a WesleyLife community for healthy living in Indianola, about 25 miles from her home.
She had visited other communities in the past, and those experiences had left an impression.
“I’ve been in places with a certain unpleasant feel and a smell,” Barbara said. “I wanted more for my mom than that.”
From the moment Barbara walked into The Village, she felt something different. The décor was warm. The environment was welcoming. People were friendly. The campus felt like a place where her mom could live — not just stay.
And then there was the dining experience. Barbara appreciates the nutritious, home-style meals.
"The dining team really cares about providing good, wholesome food," she says. "The meals are prepared with attention to both health and comfort."
Those details matter. When you are asking someone to leave a long-time home, small comforts can make an unfamiliar place feel safe and familiar.
When needs change, financial worry can grow
Marjorie’s needs changed quickly. It become clear she required additional support, and her care plan was adjusted accordingly.
The transition was difficult, but the larger concern was financial. As costs increased, Marjorie's resources began to shrink more rapidly than anyone had expected, and Barbara worried that a change in care might also mean a forced move.
Marjorie was just beginning to feel settled. She recognized her space. She knew the people around her. The idea that finances and not her well-being could determine whether she stayed was overwhelming.
“It was hard enough for Mom to give up her home,” Barbara says. “The idea that she might not be able to stay at The Village was a huge fear.”
The promise that kept Marjorie home
As Marjorie’s assets continued to decline, Barbara and her husband took steps many families dread. They applied for Medicaid and notified The Village that Marjorie’s resources were running low.
They were relieved to learn that through the Good Shepherd Fund, The Village could provide financial assistance so Marjorie could remain where she was.
“Although her memory is diminishing, she knows her room is hers,” Barbara says. “She knows the people there, and they know her. I can’t say enough good about The Village and the comfort it brings our family knowing she can stay.”
How the Good Shepherd Fund works at The Village
WesleyLife believes residents should not have to leave their community simply because they outlive their financial resources. That commitment is the WesleyLife Promise.
At The Village, the promise is supported through the Good Shepherd Fund. When a resident or family member sees assets beginning to diminish, they can request assistance through the fund. That support helps residents remain in their community while continuing to receive the care they need.
This promise is possible only because of philanthropy. WesleyLife Foundation works year-round to raise funds that support residents across the organization, including those at The Village.
Without the generosity of donors like you, families like Barbara's would face impossible choices. Your gift today ensures another family will not have to move their loved one from the place they've come to call home.
Last year alone, the Good Shepherd Fund provided compassionate assistance to dozens of residents at The Village, allowing them to remain in familiar surroundings with the caregivers who know them best.
Each of these residents has a story like Marjorie's — a life of dignity preserved through the compassion of donors who understand that financial circumstances should never determine whether someone can stay in their home.
"Please tell people the blessing of this place.”
Barbara wants others to understand what it means to have a loved one cared for, known, and able to stay where they feel safe, even as finances change.
“Please tell people of the blessing of this place,” she says. “My mom deserves to be somewhere wonderful. I’m so glad we were able to find it for her.”
For families like Marjorie's, the WesleyLife Promise is not just a statement. It is peace of mind, continuity, and one less worry to carry.
Your gift to support the WesleyLife Promise does more than provide financial assistance; it preserves dignity, maintains vital connections, and gives families like Marjorie's the peace of mind they deserve. Help keep families together with your gift today at wesleylife.org/foundation.